Australia has one of the highest rates of methamphetamine dependence globally. Over the past two decades, methamphetamine-related deaths have quadrupled, driven mainly by drug toxicity and suicide. This seminar examined trends in Australian methamphetamine-related deaths (2001-2020) and findings from age–period–cohort interaction (APC-I) analyses of these deaths, extracted from the National Coronial Information System, a database of deaths reported to the coroner in Australia and New Zealand. Between 2001 and 2020, methamphetamine-related deaths were attributed to unintentional drug toxicity (52.3%), intentional self-harm including poisoning (24.9%), unintentional injury (15.8%) and natural causes (9.2%). Cohort analyses revealed that individuals born between 1962 and 1982 (Generation X) faced a higher-than-average mortality risk across various methamphetamine-related causes (including unintentional drug toxicity and intentional self-harm), with risk decreasing among later generations. Despite different age profiles across the causes of death, cohort effects suggest Generation X is predominantly experiencing a higher mortality risk for deaths attributed to methamphetamine. As Generation X ages, the risk of methamphetamine-related deaths attributed to natural causes (particularly cardiovascular disease) is likely to increase, underscoring the need for early screening and intervention. [54 minutes]

About the speaker: Mr Oisin Stronach is a current PhD Candidate at the Burnet Institute, where he is investigating the drivers of methamphetamine-related mortality in Australia. Mr Stronach has focused on shifting current practice and policy towards prioritising informed choice and valuing lived experience through his work by translating data.